Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 223 Little Ancestor

After leaving the palace, Shen Bo didn't even bother with the sedan chair. He directly took the guard's horse, mounted it without a word, and declared, "Let's go back to the manor!"

At this moment, the Bibo Pavilion was warm and cozy.

As the wind and snow intensified, Song En opened a small window of the south-facing Bibo Pavilion.

"For so many years, every autumn and winter, the windows have to be kept tightly closed. Even if we have to open the windows because we're burning incense, we still have to put up a screen to block the light."

"But ever since the future young mistress took care of him, the young master's health has improved day by day."

Song En turned around and smiled, saying, "That's truly something to celebrate."

Although Shen Qingzhou did not have an obvious smile on his face, the way he leaned back on the brocade couch and stroked the jade from the Lu family in his hand was as if he were caressing the tiger tally of a hundred thousand troops.

"How's the situation outside these past few days?"

"The rumors are still going strong." Song En sat down opposite him. "Besides us promoting Miss Lu, something strange is that Lu—Minister Lu's momentum is not weak either. Those who used to laugh at him seem to have disappeared, and in their place are people who feel indignant on his behalf."

Shen Qingzhou stopped pointing and slowly sat up.

Song En continued, "From the time the Yan family was attacked until now, it can be said that the Lu family has suffered an undeserved disaster. However, the Lu family has not uttered a single complaint so far. We don't know what they are up to."

Shen Qingzhou said, "Although he's helping the Yan family, he really doesn't need to be so humble." He paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Is there any news about the arranged marriage?"

"Is the young master worried that he won't agree?"

Shen Qingzhou remained silent.

"Young Master!" At this moment, Tang Yu walked in, covered in snowflakes and looking flustered. "The Grand Commandant is back! The Grand Commandant is coming to our Bibo Pavilion!"

"Where is your master?"

Just as Tang Yu finished speaking, Shen Bo's voice came from outside.

After glancing at Shen Qingzhou, Song En quickly stood up and went out to greet him.

Shen Bo had already entered on his own. Beneath his ceremonial robes and crown, he exuded a chilling aura. His face was as cold as iron, and he held a roll of yellow silk in his hand.

Shen Qingzhou was also looking at him, but her gaze was quickly drawn to the yellow silk in his hand.

He stood up: "Father?"

Shen Bo calmed himself down, placed the yellow silk on the table, and then sat down in the seat where Song En had been sitting: "You already knew this, didn't you?"

Shen Qingzhou didn't rush to reply. Instead, she unfolded the yellow silk and read it twice. Only after seeing the contents and the names of the two parties to the marriage clearly did she breathe a sigh of relief and turn around to say, "I've only heard a little about it."

"You've heard a little about it, but you didn't tell me?" Shen Bo slammed the imperial edict on the table again in a fit of anger. "You kept such a big thing from me, catching me completely off guard in front of the Emperor?"

Shen Qingzhou slowly poured a cup of hot tea, took a sip, and said, "Didn't Father keep such a big thing as having another son a secret from me? And he kept it a secret for more than ten years."

"..."

After saying that, Shen Qingzhou put down the cup: "I still have to go to the Ministry of Revenue, so I won't stay with Father any longer."

"Now that the imperial decree for the marriage has been issued, Father, you are busy with many affairs of state. I will take care of these matters. You don't need to worry about it."

Shen Bo straightened his back: "What are you saying?" But Shen Qingzhou had already left, showing no intention of lingering, just as arrogant as ever.

Shen Bo took a deep breath and looked at the table in front of him, his expression becoming even more unpleasant.

Not only did it contain the imperial edict that filled him with resentment, but it also contained a gleaming empty cup—

This kid!
It seems his resentment is reaching its peak; he wouldn't even pour himself a cup of tea!

……

Grand Commandant Shen drank a cup of tea in his son's room and then came out.

After returning to his room, he had someone summon Yi Cheng, his advisor who had followed him for many years.

Before Shen Qingzhou left, she had instructed the steward of the manor to immediately begin preparations for the wedding. On the way here, Yi Cheng already knew about the arranged marriage between the Shen and Lu families.

Therefore, upon seeing Shen Bo's expression upon entering, he immediately understood: "This must be the Yan family's idea, but Lu Jie has always supported Yan Song, so it's possible that it's also a conspiracy between them."

"That's why I called you here to discuss how to deal with this," Shen Bo said. "I can't disobey the imperial decree, but once someone enters the Shen family's door, they become a member of the Shen family. How to treat them is up to the Shen family."

“Go and build a new courtyard in the backyard, no matter how much money it costs, just for our new young mistress to live in. Yu’er is in poor health and it is not yet time for them to consummate their marriage. Until he has fully recovered, they should live separately.”

His eyes were filled with a sharp light, as if there were enemy ranks ahead of him.

“They have their clever plans, and I have my own ways to overcome them. Once that girl comes over, if they behave themselves and let her live well in the backyard, then if they dare to have any ideas, I can kill her at any time.”

Yi Cheng nodded.

Just as he was about to turn around and go out to make arrangements, he saw a guard who used to be a scout in the military camp waiting at the gate, and asked again, "What news has come this time?"

The guard hurriedly entered: "Reporting to the Grand Commandant, may I ask if His Majesty has indeed bestowed a marriage upon the eldest son and the young lady of the Lu family?"

"It's true."

"I just heard some news: Chen Huan, the Minister of Revenue, will be swapping positions with Lu Jie, the Minister of Rites, after the New Year. In other words, Lu Jie will become the Minister of Revenue after the New Year!"

After the guard finished speaking, Yi Cheng immediately turned to look at Shen Bo.

"He's become the Minister of Revenue?!"

The coldness on Shen Bo's face had become even more intense.

"Grand Commandant!" Yi Cheng stepped forward. "The marriage was just granted here, and he went to the Ministry of Revenue to become the Minister. I'm afraid this future young mistress will be difficult to control."

Shen Bo stood up, paced around the screen twice, and suddenly slammed his fist on the side table: "That old fox!"

Yi Cheng said, "I had long heard that Lu Jie was meticulous and talented, no less than the Yan family father and son. But I always thought he was just a name without substance, but I didn't expect him to actually have some skills."

"The Yan family already had a lot of leverage over the Ministry of Revenue. Lu Jie taking over the Ministry of Revenue is advantageous to the Yan family."

"Hu Yucheng is currently fighting against Japanese pirates in the southeast, and there can be no mishaps in the rear. We also need to maintain good relations with the Ministry of Revenue. Lu Jie's move is to say that he has grasped the key point. If this Miss Lu suffers any grievances at the Grand Commandant's mansion, it would be very easy for Lu Jie to make some subtle mistakes in terms of food and provisions."

As soon as Mr. Yi finished speaking, the anger that had been barely suppressed flared up again in Grand Marshal Shen's heart.

The war in the southeast is going to last for at least several years. Does that mean he not only has to obediently marry this daughter-in-law who was sent here as a spy, but also has to treat her like a little princess from now on?